An art future image intervention to enhance identity and self-efficacy in adolescents

The authors describe the content, implementation, and findings concerning an "Art Future Image Intervention" (AFI) for adolescents. The AFI was designed to help adolescents develop a positive identity and to enhance their self-efficacy by encouraging them to consider their ideal future goals, vocation, and body image. Two randomly selected classes of South Carolina high school students participated in the AFI (N = 158). The data indicated that the future images of these teenagers included realistic and unrealistic future goals and self-images. Ninety three percent of these teenagers evaluated the AFI positively. Eligible students who elected to participate in the AFI protocol had the lowest baseline self-efficacy. Both intervention and control students' mean self-efficacy scores decreased from baseline (fall 1990) to post-intervention (spring 1991); however, intervention students had less of a decrease.